Servant Leadership: A Better Way to Lead

Leadership is an essential aspect of organizational success. The quality of leadership can determine the performance and productivity of a team or organization. Leadership has become even more critical today, where change and uncertainty are the new normal. The traditional autocratic leadership model needs to be updated, where the leader is the boss. In contrast, servant leadership has emerged as a more effective leadership style gaining popularity in the corporate world.

Leaders often focus on achieving results and reaching goals in today's fast-paced business world. However, authentic leadership is about more than just driving profits or hitting targets. It's about empowering and inspiring others to be their best selves, grow and develop, and positively impact the world. Leadership is critical to any organization's success. Leadership is not just about taking charge and making decisions. Leadership inspires and empowers others to achieve their goals, grow, and reach their full potential. The world of leadership is vast and varied, with numerous styles. One approach that has been gaining popularity in recent years is servant leadership.

Servant leadership is about serving others. It's a people-leadership style. Putting others first creates a sense of community and belonging, essential for creating a positive and productive work environment. This approach to leadership can transform organizations, improve employee morale and retention, and create a positive culture that leads to long-term success.

In 1977, Robert Greenleaf introduced the concept of servant leadership. Greenleaf believed that a leader's primary responsibility is to serve others rather than being served by them. He argued that the best leaders are those who prioritize the needs of others and work to help them grow and develop. Since then, it has become a popular and widely studied approach to leadership, with many organizations adopting this style to create a more positive and productive work environment. Khan et al. 2021 conducted a study to examine the role of servant leadership in influencing psychological empowerment in the workplace culture. The study demonstrated solid empirical support for innovative work behavior, employee retention, and long-term success for the organization. There are examples of servant leadership in action. One notable example is Herb Kelleher, the co-founder of Southwest Airlines. Kelleher was a servant leader who believed in putting the needs of his employees first. He famously said, "If you treat your employees right, guess what? Your customers will come back, and that'll make your shareholders happy. Start with employees, and the rest follows from that." Kelleher believed that happy employees lead to satisfied customers and happy shareholders. He created a culture of trust and transparency at Southwest Airlines, where employees felt valued and supported. As a result, Southwest Airlines has become one of the most successful airlines in the US.

Servant leadership involves several critical practices and principles to help leaders create a more positive and productive workplace. In 2015, Walker published an article illustrating the core principles of the servant leadership. These are listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community. Each of these characteristics plays a significant role in promoting servant leadership.

Listening is the foundation of servant leadership. By listening to your team members, you can give valuable insights into their needs, concerns, and ideas. It can help you make better decisions and demonstrate that you value your team's input. Empathy enables the leader to understand the emotions and feelings of their team, making them more compassionate and approachable. It leads to building strong relationships with their team members. It helps the leaders better understand their team members' needs and concerns, allowing them to provide more practical guidance and support. Healing involves the leader's ability to help the team members overcome emotional or psychological issues. Awareness refers to the leader's ability to understand the dynamics of the team and the broader organization. As a servant leader, you should constantly look for ways to support your team members, including coaching the team with the tools and resources they need to succeed, giving them feedback and guidance, or simply being there to listen when they need someone to talk to. Persuasion is the servant leader's ability to influence the team without coercion or force. Servant leaders infuse confidence in team members to try out new things; help them connect with the purpose of their work, which leads to greater job satisfaction.

Conceptualization involves the leader's ability to think beyond the immediate needs and focus on the long-term vision. It means providing opportunities to learn and grow, challenging the team to reach their full potential, and supporting them through their struggles and setbacks. It would be best if you were committed to the growth and development of your team members, both personally and professionally. Foresight involves the leader's ability to anticipate future events and make strategic plans to mitigate risks. Stewardship consists of the leader's responsibility to take care of the resources the organization or stakeholders entrusted to them. They work to create a culture of openness to promote ideas and feedback; encourage collaboration and teamwork, recognizing that working together can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. Commitment to the growth of people requires empowerment. Leaders who practice servant leadership work to empower their team members by giving them the tools and resources they need to succeed. It might involve training or mentoring, giving team members more autonomy, or encouraging them to take on new challenges. Employees who feel supported and empowered are likelier to perform at their highest level.

In conclusion, servant leaders promote a positive work environment that fosters trust, collaboration, and teamwork, leading to a more robust organizational culture focused on achieving shared goals and positively impacting the world. If you're looking to champion leadership skills, consider exploring the principles of servant leadership and how they might apply to your organization. By putting the needs of your team members first, you can create a workplace where everyone can thrive and succeed.

References:

• Walker, J. (2015, April 1). The Nobility Of Servanthood. The American Organist

• Eva et al. (2018, Jul 31). Servant Leadership: A Systematic Review and Call for Future Research

• Khan et al. (2021, Mar 4). How Servant Leadership Triggers Innovative Work Behavior: Exploring the Sequential Mediating Role of Psychological Empowerment and Job Crafting

• Greenleaf, R.K. (1977). Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness

• Image extracted from Canva